AS D-day approaches for a decision on two controversial proposals for housing developments in Peebles, planning bosses have come under fire for refusing to carry out an independent road traffic survey.

Since the applications for 71 houses at South Parks and two four-storey blocks of flats at Tweedbridge Court were lodged, objectors have been quick to raise alarm bells on the impact increased traffic would impose on Caledonian Road.

And last month, following serious concerns over the traffic assessment carried out by the Persimmon bosses, community leaders asked elected council members to seek an independent assessment.

But it was revealed last week that this request has fallen on deaf ears.

Councillor Robin Tatler (Ind, Tweeddale East) begged the question and was told that “traffic assessments are carefully scrutinised by council staff, as are all third party objections made in respect of road traffic concerns”.

Councillor Tatler was informed that “experienced roads planning staff then make their conclusion based on all submissions, local knowledge and site visits” and there was no requirement for an independent road traffic survey.

Acting chairman of Peebles Community Council, Les Turnbull thanked Councillor Tatler for requesting the road survey, but said: “They have not answered the question we asked. We, the community, and objectors have provided some fairly compelling evidence that there is a serious issue on the Caledonian Road which cast into doubt the actual traffic assessment that was conducted by the developers.

"And the response of the roads planning officer was not sufficiently objective and we were asking for the objective assessment.”

However, there was a glimmer of hope, as Councillor Heather Anderson (SNP, Tweeddale West) received a more positive response to the request.

She said: “If the objectors want to raise this with the committee they might commission their own independent survey, but the planners are not going to do it as they have carried in due diligence what they say they have to do.”

Mr Turnbull is now calling for a meeting with elected councillors before the outcome of the application is decided.

He said: “It would be nice if we could meet so we can make sure that we are singing from the same hymn sheet and reinforcing the messages that have to go out.”

The application for South Parks will be presented to the planning committee on February 4.